The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that customer outcry over data depletion is largely due to ignorance on the increase in speed 

enabling video streaming, online gaming, and a myriad of digital activities brought about by the leap from 3G to 4G while looking ahead to 5G which promises even faster speed.

This was made known on Thursday, by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida in a keynote address he delivered to the 93RD Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) which held at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex Auditorium, Abuja.

He said the 5G is coming with  lower latency where new frontiers are opening for innovations such as smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and the Internet of Things, driving further demand for data.

Maida pointed that while trying to  enhance service delivery for consumers over the past two decades, the telecommunications landscape in Nigeria has transformed from basic voice services to high-speed data that connects, informs, and powers innovations. With the rollout of 3G, 4G, and now 5G.

"We’ve seen Nigerians adopting social media, e-commerce, online banking, and more. The introduction of 3G networks in the mid-2000s marked the beginning of this shift, enabling basic browsing and email," he said.

"Today, as data consumption grows, fueled by digital advancements, we must address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency.

"Globally, DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections. Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives.

"In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year—a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.

"Despite this, many consumers feel their data depletes faster than expected, echoing a sentiment I hear often. Nigeria isn’t alone in this; other countries, like Eswatini, are also working to address similar consumer concerns about data usage.

"Earlier this year, NCC analyzed consumer complaints, revealing data depletion and billing issues as top concerns. In response, we directed Mobile Network Operators and ISPs to conduct audits of their billing systems, which reported no major issues. However, perceptions persist due to two main factors:

(1) the impact of high-resolution devices and improved technologies on data use and

(2) the complexity of operator tariffs.

"With the advent of 4G and 5G, as well as devices with ultra-high-definition screens, data consumption has naturally increased. For example, while viewing a photo on Instagram might have required only 100 kilobytes of data five years ago, today, with advanced camera resolutions, a photo can consume between two to four megabytes when opened on Instagram.

"According to Tech Advisor, an online resource that offers tech reviews, spending an hour on Instagram can set you off an average of 600 Megabytes of your data, while streaming platforms like YouTube would set you off by about 3.5 to 5.4 Gigabytes per hour.

"The world’s internet users are spending less time watching television; the average daily television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past one year. These viewers are now spending more time on their telephones, tablets, and smart TVs streaming programmes that they would previously have watched on broadcast television."

He said in order to educate consumers over these uncommon and possibly unexpected development, the NCC embarked on rigorous awareness campaigns which customers may come across from time to time on their phones giving explanation on upgrade and how to avoid background data use.

The NCC CEO advised consumers to always take time and go through such vital information to prevent unnecessary data wastage.

He said "while the Commission remains committed to these goals, the industry also faces challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom assets, which frustrate operators’ efforts to deliver quality telecom services. In July, through NCC’s advocacy and collaboration with key stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed a Presidential Order designating telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure.

"This Executive Order strengthens our ability to address issues of vandalism, tampering, and unauthorized access to telecom infrastructure.

We cannot also ignore the effect of current macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business in the country which is impacting the ability of operators to make the necessary investments in the sector.

"The Commission is mindful of this and is actively working with other arms of government and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability."

He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability within the sector while it is finalizing its Major Incident Reporting Guidelines, which will require operators to inform consumers of major incidents impacting their networks, with these reports also accessible on NCC website.

"Consumers can also soon expect coverage maps detailing operators’ network strength across the country. These maps will indicate coverage gaps, service quality, and signal strength, allowing consumers to make more informed choices when selecting an operator.

"As Speaker of this Parliament, I want to affirm that this occasion is a platform for open and honest dialogue—a space where consumers can speak and be heard. Our conversations here will be integral to ensuring that our consumers receive optimal Quality of Experience from the industry.

"With sustained commitment, we can build an ecosystem where every Nigerian enjoys the benefits of world-class telecommunications services," he concluded.

Katsina Times 

@ www.katsinatimes.com 

Jaridar Taskar labarai 

@ www.taskarlabarai.com 

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